Scared of Fireworks?

[don8life]

My 2 year old is so scared of fireworks. Is there anywhere we can go in the park to not hear them? We are going for 10/31/ MNSSHP. When we were there in June she was just terrified and it broke my heart. I know some will say she will get over it but she has been through so much in her little life. She had a liver transplant at 10 months old. So she goes through many procedures, blood draws etc. I do not want to add to the fear that she has to go through.
In June we hopped on Peter Pan,I thought inside she would be ok but you could still hear them.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Irene

PS Where we live they have fireworks every Wed. night and you can see them from my parents backyard(and hear them). I try and get her to come out of the house but she just won't. So we are not making any progress in that area.

 

[Magickndm]

If you'd like to time the MK fireworks with dinner, O'hana's at the Poly is a great place to be. You can request a window seat, when the fireworks begin, they lower the lights and play the music that goes with it. The Contempory does this as well.
The beaches at the GF and the Poly are also great spots. Some here will say it's not "legal" to view from these beaches, but if you have a meal there, they will not tell you to leave. Yet another option, if you feel funny about being on those beaches is the walkway between the GF and the Poly.

 

[disneyandme]

NArcosses at GF has a great view too. Our DD was scared of the noise when she was that age, but we just watched from inside the restuarant and she loved it.

 

[MemaT]

My grand-daughter is also afraid of the noise from the fireworks. We bought her "ear-protectors". They are used for things like target practice, or by landscapers when chipping tree branches. You can get them in special children sizes at sporting goods stores. Adult sizes cn be found at stores like K-Mart or WalMart. My granddaughter also used them in any loud rides, like "It's a Bug's Life".

 

[WDWLinda]

My son at 2 was also afraid. The first time we had to leave the park. A few months later, he stayed in the stroller, facing away from the fireworks with the canopy up, while my husband kept telling him they were like big drums in the sky. We bought him a book in one of the stores near Winnie the Pooh ride called "The Storm that Sparkled", about how Winnie and friends hear fireworks and are afraid til they figure out what they are. It helped some, but the most was just growing out of it. At 3 he now likes fireworks.

Good luck - its a beautiful show, so I hope you get to see it.

~Linda

 

[B'rer Karen]

It will be tough to be in the park and not hear them, but I'm thinking if you could time it so that you were riding Buzz or seeing Philharmagic, the noise of those attractions should drown out the noise of the fireworks. I've never tried this, though, so I don't know for sure.

 

[Magickndm]

Sorry, just re-read your post that you will be in a park. That will be a tough one. Back in Toon Town by Mickey's house you can see them, and I don't remember them being all that loud, but never really payed attention. Ever thought of a monorail ride then?

 

[mmccoy]

My DS5 is afraid of fireworks, as well. We watched them from Chef Mickey's one evening. Its at the CR, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the entrace to MK. After leaving Chef Mickey's we went to MK for e-night. Worked real well for us.

 

[Keebles]

My 25 year old Sis is scared to death of them (which I did not know until about two minutes into Illuminations). She was severely traumatized by it plus she got some very minor burns from the falling debris. Needless to say we missed out on Wishes because of it. When she and I go back next year, I think I'll plan some alone time so that I can watch Wishes. I really felt bad for her, but I felt bad for myself too for missing out. I know it sounds extremely selfish, but after months of planning, and reading boards about how wonderful the fireworks were, it was a major letdown because I love fireworks, they move me to tears everytime. But I didn't want to upset her either. I've been trying to find a way to tell her I'm going to the fireworks next year and she can do something else. I thought about maybe getting her a late spa treatment or something (if I can afford it) so that she is distracted.

 

[disneysteve]

I would suggest hopping on the monorail and riding over to one of the hotels. If you still want to watch the fireworks but not hear them, stop at Contemp and watch from the 4th floor observation area. Otherwise, just browse the shops until they are over then ride back to MK.

 

[eeyore45]

I'll 2nd the ear protectors - my DS was always scared of very loud noises - like balloon popping (he hated Chuck E Cheese, and we couldnt figure it out for a long time!) As he got older we went to an audiologist who explained that his nerve endings somehow have a connections that cause him physical pain... like your funny bone getting hit - so

he always has the soft ear plugs, he has learned to adapt. It was always funny to see him line up for Cross Country meets and stick his hands in his ears!!

He always avoids cities on the 4th, he prefers camping!! But there are the guns etc, so he tried and loves the soft earplugs - he says they help

I would get the ear plugs and head for toon town!! (or inside, like in a ride, The hall of presidents, Splash Mountain...)

 

[B'rer Karen]

Keebles, I don't think that's selfish at all. Obviously you wouldn't want to force your sister to suffer through a traumatizing experience, but you should be able to enjoy the things you like too. When I go with my best friend, there are certain rides she just won't go on. I woudn't force her to ride them, but she understands that I enjoy them and will ride without her. I think if you talk to your sister about it ahead of time it'd be okay. Do a trip planning session where you talk about your must dos and what you can't or don't want to do. Let her know that you really want to see Wishes but understand she won't be able to participate and suggest splitting up one evening. I would think most people would be receptive to this.

 

[KimR]

My DD hates fireworks and loud noises of any kind and I just let her sit on my lap and cover her ears. I do this for Illuminations, Fanstasmic, and the fireworks as well as during the louder parts of certain attractions (Haunted Mansion comes to mind). I am hoping she will eventually outgrow it.